Setting ObjectivesSetting ObjectivesPresented by:Jane CookSydney GilbeyMadeline Negron

ObjectivesObjectives

As a result of participating in this session, I will be able to:

Define why setting objectives is an effective teaching strategy

Cite research related to setting objectives

Create an objective to apply the effective teaching strategy of setting objectives

Teaching is like going on a Teaching is like going on a trip. Setting goals/objectives trip. Setting goals/objectives is like creating a roadmap for is like creating a roadmap for your trip.your trip.

Broadly defined, setting clear goals/objectives establishes an initial target for student learning.

Objectives Should Help Objectives Should Help Students Set Learning Students Set Learning Expectations & Answer:Expectations & Answer:What do I want to know? What do I already know?How will I learn it?How will I show what I learned?

3 Generalizations from 3 Generalizations from the Research on Goal the Research on Goal SettingSetting1. Instructional goals narrow what

students focus on.2. Instructional goals should not be

too specific.3. Students should be encouraged

to personalize the teacher’s goals.

- Marzano, et al, Classroom Instruction That Works, 2001

What Does the Research What Does the Research Say?Say?

3 Generalizations from 3 Generalizations from the Research on Goal the Research on Goal SettingSetting1. Instructional goals narrow what

students focus on.2. Instructional goals should not be

too specific.3. Students should be encouraged

to personalize the teacher’s goals.

Writing Effective Writing Effective Instructional ObjectivesInstructional ObjectivesIn 1962, Robert Mager published the

book, Preparing Instructional Objectives. According to Mager, effective instructional objectives contain three defining characteristics:

Performance – An objective says what a learner is expected to be able to do

Conditions – An objective describes the important conditions under which the performance is to occur

Criterion – When possible, an objective describes the criterion or acceptable performance

Applications of Setting Applications of Setting ObjectivesObjectivesSet a core goal for a unit, and then

encourage students to personalize that goal by identifying areas of interest to them. Questions like “I want to know” and “I want to know more about . . .” get students thinking about their interests and actively involved in the goal-setting process.

Use contracts to outline the specific goals that students must attain and the grade they will receive if they meet those goals.

Separate Content and Separate Content and Language Objectives – Key Language Objectives – Key for ELLsfor ELLs• Research shows that “In model

sheltered instruction courses, language and content objectives are systematically woven into the curriculum… Teachers must develop the students' academic language proficiency consistently and regularly.” (http://www.siopinstitute.net/index.html)

• This means that it is critical to separate the Content and Language Objectives, especially to support the language development of English Language Learners.

Example of Content & Example of Content & Language ObjectivesLanguage ObjectivesContent Objective: Students will

determine the Earth's unique place in the solar system.

Language Objective: After listening and recording information on each planet, we will determine if life can exist on other planets.

Now it’s your turnNow it’s your turn

•Make 16 boxes. Each person at the table should do this differently.•Write an objective for this activity.•Debrief